Best Small Drones & Mini Quadcopters

With that criterion in mind, here is the Top 10 Small Drones and Quadcopters of 2018:

Whether you are looking to purchase your very first drone, or if you consider yourself a seasoned expert, if you’re looking for the best drone with a camera or searching for the best mini drone price with the most useful features, we have compiled a list of the best mini drones of 2018.

If you are at a beginner level, it is helpful to know how drones and quadcopters work, and all about the technology that is driving this ever-expanding industry. Knowing the industry and the many features available will help guide your purchasing decision.

A good foundation of information can be found in this drone definition. If you are new to flying drones or quadcopters, it also pays to be aware of the current drone laws and drone permits.

Most people purchasing a mini drone, a nano quad, or a drone helicopter for the first time will look for a unit that is simple to fly right out of the box, has sufficient protection to withstand collisions or drops, and be reasonably priced.

As your skills grow as a drone pilot, or if you want a more forgiving learning curve as a beginner, you may look for many of the features available, including:

One-Push 360-Degree Flips and Spins

Adjustable Speed Modes

High Quality Camera

Customizable Stabilization Technology

Obstacle Avoidance Technology

First-Person View (FPV)

Hand and Face Recognition Technology

These and many others will push the limits of the aircraft’s maneuverability and create a more enjoyable experience with less crashes.

Understanding that crashes are inevitable, finding a mini drone at a low price point will make you feel better if you need to replace it. That is why we have compiled this list focused on the best drones under $100.

DB Power Hawkeye Quad

This Quadcopter is extremely well-built and durable, so newbies need not worry if they crash from time to time. You can even attach training wheels to the Hawkeye to get the hang of the controls before lift-off.

There is also a speed switch button to control your flight until you’re ready for more advanced maneuvers, making it one of the best drones to learn on.

Included Accessories:

Cheerson CX10 Mini Quad

The Cheerson CX10 Mini Quad is one of the top-selling mini drones for several reasons, and it’s no wonder why it’s on our list of best drones of 2018.

Simple yet powerful, this tiny orange flying machine is one of the best drones for beginners, best drones for kids, and just about anyone who doesn’t want to break the bank—seeing as they go for only about $20.

This mini drone can fly up to 120 feet, hover in place, do side-to-side flight, perform flips, and take off from the palm of your hand.

Overall, especially at its low price, the CX10 Mini is considered to be one of the best mini drones with a camera on the market.

Features:

Flight Time: 4-8 Minutes

Charging Time: 30-40 Minutes

Transmission Range: 30-40 Meters

Weight: 15g

4GHz Transmission Frequency with 4 Channels

3 Speed Modes

3 MP Camera

LED Lights

Low-Battery Alarm

6-Axis Gyro Stabilization

Included Accessories:

Blade Nano QX

The Blade Nano QX is a logical next step for pilots graduating from beginner status. It is a high-performance mini drone under $100 with advanced features that allow you to take full control of the aircraft.

The Nano QX is equipped with SAFE (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) technology, which allows for effortless takeoffs, prevents collisions, and can automatically stabilize itself if you get into trouble.

When you’re ready to take off the training wheels, you can turn off the stabilizing gyroscope and have the freedom to execute a variety of tricks and stunts. It’s also considered one of the fastest mini drones around.

Features:

Flight Time: 10 minutes

Weight: 1.6 pounds

6-Axis Gyro Stabilization System

Transmission Frequency: 2.4 GHz

720p HD Camera

SAFE Assistance Technology

Included Accessories:

Blade Inductrix FPV RTF

With an indoor drone, there’s a greater likelihood to bump into objects, which is exactly what the engineers had in mind when they created the duct fan-like frame of the Inductrix FPV RTF. It can absorb impact without losing complete control, allowing for a quick mid-air recovery.

The maneuverability aided by SAFE technology creates an automatic level of stabilization. Or you can switch to Agility Mode to release stability restrictions and manually flip and roll through your desired course.

The unit comes with a 4.3-inch FPV monitor that attaches to the transmitter for easy hands-free operation when controlling your racer.

An added feature is the Meow Mode, and like a cat with 9 lives, when the Inductrix lands upside down on its back you can double-click a button and two motors will quickly engage, flipping the mini drone back upright.

With all these features, the Inductrix FPV RTF is one of the best FPV mini drones available. The only downside is a very short flight time, so extra batteries are a must.

Included Accessories:

DJI Spark

With the most advanced features to date, the DJI Spark is in a higher price range, but the features and performance of this drone well exceed every other unit listed here.

Upon takeoff, the Spark enters “Gesture Mode,” which has scanning technology that can recognize faces and hand gestures, allowing you to control it without a smartphone or transmitter.

By using Palm Control, you can:

Direct the drone to fly back and up and then begin to track you.

Take a selfie photo or video.

Call the drone to return to you when you raise your arms like a “Y.”

Automatically land in your hand.

With a 2-axis gimbal camera which shoots 12MP photos or 1080p/30 HD video, you can program the Spark to rocket up, fly in a circle around you, or take off on a pre-programmed flight path using waypoints to set your course.

It flies with GPS satellite positioning and a 3D obstacle-sensing system, which allows it to avoid collisions. The sophisticated FPV and top speed of 31mph make it an exceptional racing drone.

Less than a pound and compact enough to stuff into your backpack, the DJI Spark is one of the most technologically advanced small drones on the market.